'Luckily found it early': Woman recently diagnosed with breast cancer runs for cure
Two weeks ago, Leah Warner got the scariest news of her life.
“I’m just trying to process it,” says Warner of a stage one, grade one breast cancer diagnosis.
She had a large team of supporters Sunday at the CIBC Run for the Cure at Victoria Park in London, Ont.
After her recent diagnosis, her husband Jay and friends started fundraising and came up with $15,000 in just a couple of weeks.
“I noticed something and went to my doctor,” says Warner.
“He didn’t think it was anything but he pushed and it turned out to be something. I found it early so people definitely need to trust your instincts.”
Returning to an in-person event for the first time in three years, more than 800 people packed the park for either a one km walk, or a five km run.
Over 800 participants took part in the CIBC Run for the Cure in downtown London, Ont. Local Organizers say they raised more than $275,000 this year. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV London) “With the stats of one-in-four women getting breast cancer, it's really hard to say that you haven't been touched with breast cancer, whether it's your family member, someone you know, your co-worker or yourself,” says Meghann Geddis, the local run director.
“That's why it's important for us to fundraise and come together and support the people in our lives that have been touched with breast cancer.”
Geddis says the local total raised from Sunday’s run will surpass $275,000. Through the Canadian Cancer Society the funds will help with research, prevention, education and supports for those living with breast cancer.
When it comes to fundraising for this run, there aren’t many people more valuable than Katherine Butson.
“I cannot tell you what it feels like to be told you have cancer,” says Butson. “It literally turns your world upside down.”
Diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer nine years ago, she’s raised close to $225,000 since starting a team.
“When I was first diagnosed, a mother from my son's school approached me and said ‘let's do team Katherine Butson and run for the cure,’” says Butson who credits her 10-year-old son for getting her through her diagnosis.
“At that time I didn't know what the Run for the Cure was in 2013. We raised $32,000 that year, and next year we hope to be at $250,000 total.”
In 2013, Butson says there was no research done on her type of breast cancer.
“I can say now that after raising so many funds that there has now been a research project started,” says Butson.
Prior to the run, survivors were called to the front of the stage, where they held a moment of silence to reflect on why everyone in attendance was running and walking.
Breast Cancer survivors pause for a moment of silence prior to the CIBC Run for the Cure at Victoria Park in London, Ont. (Brent Lale/CTV London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.